Source: Melinda Sinn, 785-532-5888, sinnpio@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Jared Betts, 785-532-5888, betts290@k-state.edu

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

K-STATE OFFERING FREE CONSTITUTION WORKSHOP IN TOPEKA FOR SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's Division of Continuing Education is offering a free workshop in Topeka on the U.S. Constitution for social studies teachers.

"Perspectives on the Constitution: A We the People Workshop for Teachers of Social Studies" will be July 25-29 at Topeka's Capitol Plaza Hotel, 1717 S.W. Topeka Blvd. It is sponsored by the Center for Civic Education, K-State Center for Social Studies Education, Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site and Brown v. Board of Education Foundation.

The standards-based, professional development opportunity is for elementary, middle and high school social studies teachers in Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The workshop will provide classroom sets of student and teacher resources, free lodging at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, a travel stipend and free meals on workshop dates. It also includes a reception dinner at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site.

"The workshop gives teachers a chance to revisit important political ideas that have influenced our country since its founding," said Thomas Vontz, associate professor and director of the Center for Social Studies Education at K-State.

The workshop will focus on the fundamentals that built the U.S. Participants also will learn about the origins, development and contemporary application of constitutional ideas.

"These 'We the People' workshops are offered throughout the country and have been ongoing since 1995. Teachers leave the workshop with a renewed sense of purpose and with practical resources they can use to teach about the Constitution," Vontz said.

Featured presenters include Vontz; John J. Patrick, professor emeritus at Indiana University; and Matthew Gutwein, professor of constitutional law at Indiana University.

Teachers who attend the workshop can elect to earn up to three graduate credit hours through the K-State Division of Continuing Education.

More information and online registration are available at http://www.dce.k-state.edu/conf/civil-rights/ or by calling the K-State Division of Continuing Education conference registration office at 785-532-5569 or 1-800-432-8222.